46 2015 RELAY FOR LIFE MAGAZINE LINCOLN DAILY NEWS.com June 23, 2015
Continued on page 47
Relay for Life
‘Survivors Dinner’
a meaningful time
R
estaurant owner and former Lincoln
mayor, John Guzzardo with his wife
Frankie, have supported several dear friends
through cancer battles, Steve Barmes being
one of the first he mentions.
Guzzardo became involved in the Logan
County Relay for Life about 14 years ago, and
as chairman of the event it grew each year.
The RFL fundraiser helps bring local people
together for support and funds raised help
research for a cure.
While he is no longer chairing the event,
Guzzardo continues a tradition he began
several years back.
Cancer survivors are invited to a relaxed meal
of the best food that Lincoln has to offer. The
Guzzardo family hosts, produces and provides
the meal that features classic Italian dishes
served in their popular downtown Lincoln
restaurant.
John’s son Nick was right at his side
working, and a number of the third
generation were there volunteering too, the
younger hands were busy non-stop setting
up, serving drinks and then on cleanup duty
on Saturday.
All the RFL events were held on the on the
campus of Lincoln College with the dinner
held in the Davidson-Sheffer Gymnasium.
For the dinner this year, guests were invited
to come and go when they pleased between
4:30 - 6 p.m.
While not far in distance from the big
celebration outside the Lincoln Center, the
gym that was filled with decorated tables and
candles offered a totally different atmosphere
-- an oasis that was a cool, quiet respite to
relax and visit.
Each year during the dinner, guests are
encouraged in some aspect of their health or
life experience.
This year’s guest speaker was Holly
Woodhall, a pharmacist at Abraham Lincoln
Memorial Hospital.
